Vacuum mop and strainer



b'ept. 25, 1956 c. K. BROWN, JR, ETAL ,7

VACUUM MOP AND STRAINER Filed Sept. 26, 1950 F v A f 1r llllal lll lll llllll R1 R mW m NR0 1 m H we VACUUM MOP STRAINER Charles Kepler Brown, Jr., and Charles Kepler Brown, Sr., Fairmont, W. Va.

Application September 26, 1950, Serial No. 186,871

9 Claims. (Cl. 15321) This invention relates to vacuum cleaning equipment and especially to that class of devices applicable for the disposal and removal of liquids resulting from fioor mopping operations.

This invention is termed a vacuum mop arbitrarily and takes the place of the common floor mop having a fabric head and depending on capillary principles for the removal of liquids used in cleaning and mopping up surfaces. It involves an assembly made up of a rigid nozzle combined with a receptor for the liquid used, and mechanism for alternately causing the liquid to be sucked up therein cit the surface being cleaned or dumped therefrom for use in cleaning.

The invention has for an object the provision of a new and improved vacuum mop unit operable through the use of vacuum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved vacuum unit that will be simple in construction, effective in operation, and economical and expeditious to employ and maintain.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the principal items of its structure and mode of operation and field of use are outlined.

In the accompanying drawings, a particular form of the invention is illustrated by way of example, while the specification and claims indicate the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional vertical elevation of a vacuum mop unit embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1, and I Figure 7 is a general assembly view of the device attached to a conventional vacuum cleaner.

Similar reference numerals pertain to the same parts in all the drawings.

The structure consists of a receptor for holding and delivering cleaning liquids, a nozzle for releasing, cleaning and removing the liquids, and connections for coupling the receptor to a vacuum system to give it the necessary pneumatic action.

The receptor'consists of a casing 10 of elongated form, cylindrical in contour exteriorly with rounded nose end portions 11 and 12, while the interior is divided into sections or chambers arbitrarily termed the front and valve chamber or section 13; the filling tube and deflector section 14; the ball-check section 15; the control section 16; the dehydrating cell section 17; and the handle tube section 18. An opening 19 is provided in the wall of the front section 13 through which a filling tube 20 I 2,763,886 Patented Sept. 25, 1956 ICQ projects exteriorly from the interior of sections 13 and 14. A gooseneck 21 is attached to and leads to a nozzle 22 of the vacuum type designed particularly for the liquids passed through it. The filling tube has an outlet orifice 23 in its wall close to the front nose 11 of the casing, opening in the section 13. This outlet orifice is used when the operator wants the clean liquids to be discharged from the casing on to the surface to be cleaned and for the discharge of the dirty liquid from the receptor. A flat circular valve head 24 rests on a suitable valve seat 31 extending transversely across the section 13 and about the tube 20. The valve seat 31 is provided with holes 57. This valve head 24 is opened by raising it off the seat 31 through the use of a chain 26 pulled by the handle tube 18 from the rear nose end 12. The valve 25 consists of a rubber cap 27 and sleeve 28 that closes automatically, when the pull on the chain is released, through the action of spring 60. The chain is preferably of the ball and link type arranged so it cannot kink while in position. The tube 20 is relatively long so as to permit ample storage space about it for the liquids collected by the receptor, and is provided with a hole or orifice 29 adjacent its upper end through which the liquids or air sucked into the receptor can overflow into the section 14 and fill it, while the valve 25 is closed. The outlet 29 is surrounded by a cylindrical deflector 30 having wings 32 cut out from its walls in selected areas, to act as helical guiding vanes for the liquids and air issuing from the orifice 29. This arrangement segregates the air and water, so they can flow out into the section 15. The space about the deflector affords ample room for the air to flow thus.

The chamber or section 16 is adjacent the section 15 and terminates in a double inwardly tapered collar 33 having a central circular throat as shown in Figure 1. This leaves an axial opening 35, between the sections or chambers 15 and 16. A rubber ball 34 in chamber 15 serves to close this opening 35 when lodged up against the collar 33. The ball 34 is loosely connected by a chain 36 to a hollow sealed element 49, in chamber 16, contoured in the form of a conventional lamp bulb, and loaded interiorly with a heavy shot 37 that can move around in it. A partition plate 38 having holes 58 is disposed transversely across the chamber 16 and is provided with a central hole 39 in which the element 49 rests when the position of the receptor is substantially perpendicular to the floor. In this position the ball valve 34 is held away from the orifice 35 as shown in Figure 1. When, however, the receptor is substantially parallel to the floor, the shot 37 will move from its downward position and cause the element 49 to fall back off the taper collar 33 and into the space 16, as shown in Figure 1 in dotted outline. In doing so, it will pull the ball 34 and close the orifice 35. The section 16 is partly free to allow this. Section 17 is partly filled with copper wool 48 packed in between a pair of spaced perforated discs 42 provided with holes 55. The copper wool has the property of dehydrating the air passing through it and allowing it to pass into the bell 53 and pass through into the tube section 18 which slidably operates in the nose 12. The bell 53 is surmounted by a boss 43 on which a coil spring 44 presses at one end, while its other end is positioned against the inside wall of the nose 12. The handle 18 is hollow and forms a passage for the air to flow through. This handle tube 18 when pulled back by the operator moves a shell 54 that supports the taper collar 33 and moves a rod 46 connected to the chain 26 and thereby opens the valve 25. The shell 54 fits neatly and slides in the chamber 16 to prevent leakage of the liquid between the shell and chamber. A sleeve 47 extends from the nose end 12 and forms a guide for a portion of the handle tube 18 extending outwardly. A hole 48 is provided in the wall of the tube 18 and serves to neutralize the vacuum effect, when the said hole 48 is exposed by pulling the handle far enough out of the'slee've'. The tube is held in the sleeve and can be m'ovedor recipro'cated in it. The purpose of this movement is to place the hole 48 in a position to by-pass tlie suction from the interior of the receptor to the outside air.

In its general operation, the nozzle is placed in a pail of water or other suitable container, and the vacuum sys tem operated to pull the water into the casing 10. The water passes up the feeding tube 2 letting a small amount pass out through the opening 23 to spill into the section or chamber 13, while thegeneral flow continues out through the outlet 29 into the chamber or section 14 after being twirled by the deflector 30 as it hits its wall and wings 32. The twirling action of the liquid releases any air trapped in it. While this is being done, the receptor and nozzle 22 are held in a position by the operator about 45 to the plane of the floor to be mopped. If the water should rise higher in the receptor, it will float the ball 34 and raise it to fit and shut off the opening 35 and shut otf the suction. When the receptor is laid on the floor the collected liquid will not leak into the control section 16 because the element 49 under the gravitational action of the shot 37 tilts'the element 49 attached to the plate 38 and pulls the bell 34 into the collar 34 and closes the passage. The plate 38 is perforated at 39 and offers no interference to the air flow through it. The unusual form of the tapered collar 33 helps out in this action.

The copper wool cell 40 next in line in the section 17 screens the air flow, so a considerable part of its suspended water is removed by it. The air continues through the bell 53 and tubing 18 and passes out of the receptor into the vacuum system in a conventional manner. Its hole 48 is closed by the sleeve 47 so that the full vacuumatic action is impressed on the receptor.

However, if the operator pulls on the handle and places the opening 48 outside the sleeve, the vacuumatic action is destroyed in the receptor and the water therein is released when the rod 46, chain 26 being connected by the shell 54 to the tube 18, raises the valve 25. The'water in the filling chamber 14 then passes out through the discharge opening 23 and through the nozzle 20. When the handle is released the tube '18 is pulled back under the tension of the spring 44 and the opening 48 is closed, the valve 25 is shut and the vacuumatic action is restored in the receptor. The nozzle 22 is preferably supplied with a 'squeegee that. enables it to rub and dry up the area cleaned effectively.

The device is relatively simple in construction and requires little skill or effort to operate. It enables mopping to'be done without the user having to handle a wet mop in his hands or otherwise come into close contact with the liquids used. All the dirty water is cleaned up and can be removed to a suitable location for dumping without danger of spilling. The action of the device is fast and in operating does not splash or endanger outside surfaces other than the floor. It is protected against spilling in case the device should be allowed to fall on its side on the floor. It also keeps the vacuum system 52 free from water. Water can be carried in the receptor, so a bucket is not necessary with it on the job. This allows the casing to be filled or emptied at a distance from the area cleaned.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described herein, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form, as it is appreciated that additional constructions could be designed and made that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a housing adapted to contain a liquid, a nozzle extending from the lower end of the housing, an upper tube having a portion of its length extending in the housing and slidable therein, said tube having an opening located in the side wall of the tube and positioned exteroirly of the housing in one position of the tube and when in such position establishing communication between the interior of the housing and the atmosphere and said tube being slidable to another position wherein the opening is located within the housing and such communication is blocked, a lower tube connected to the nozzle and having the major portion of its length within the lower end of the housing and having an opening near each of its ends within the housing, means to normally prevent the passage of liquid from the housing to the lower tube and nozzle, and a connection between the upper tube and said means, for allowing said passage of liquid when the upper tube is slid to communicate its opening with the atmosphere, whereby both said upper tube and means are operated simultaneously.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a housing, a tube extending into said housing and protruding through the bottom thereof, said tube having the major portion of its length within the housing and also having an opening at its upper end and another opening at its lower end, both openings being within the casing, a suction nozzle connected to the outer end of said tube, a second tube having a portion of its length extending into the upper end of the housing and being slidable in said housing, said second tube having an opening in constant communication with the interior of the housing, said tube being selectively movable so that in one position communication between the atmosphere and the housing is established, and in another position such communication is blocked, means for connecting the outer end of said second tube with a source of vacuum whereby liquid is sucked up through the first tube into the lower end of the housing, a seat insaid housing between the tubes, at float valve operated by the'said liquid to force said valve against the said seat and close communication between the forward 'end o fthe casing and the source of vacuum, and means to normally prevent escape of the liquid through the opening in the lower end of the first tube, said means being operated by sliding movement of the second tube to communicate the opening in the second tube with the atmosphere and release the liquid from the forward end of the casing through the lower end of the opening in the first mentioned tube;

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 including means carried by the first mentioned tube for separating air and liquid emerging through the upper opening of said tube.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the aforementioned separating means consists of a deflecting sleeve carried by the upper end of saidfirst tube and curvedwings extending outwardly of said sleeve into the housing.

5. An. apparatus as described in claim 2 including means within the housing and below the opening of the second mentioned tubefor dehydrating the air passing through said tube to the source of vacuum.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the dehydrating means consist of a copper wool cell.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including gravity-operated means to force the aforesaid float valve upon its seat'when the housing is in a substantially horizontal position.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said gravity-operatedmeansconsist of a container, a weighted element constrained therein, said container being movable in the housingon the sideof'the seat opposite to that in which the float valveoperates, and a flexible connection between the Heat valve-and-the weighted element.

9. An apparatus of theclass described comprising a housing; anozzle extending from the lower end of the housing, anupper tube having a portion of its length extending in the housing and slidable therein, said tube having an opening in constant communication with the interior of the housing, said tube being selectively movable so that in one position communication between the atmosphere and the housing is established, and in another position such communication is blocked, a lower tube connected to the nozzle and having the major portion of its length within the lower end of the housing said last mentioned tube having an opening, near each of its ends within the housing, whereby a liquid may be sucked up through said nozzle and lower tube into the lower end of the housing, a partition, having perforations, in the lower end of the housing, around the lower tube, a disc valve normally closing said perforations, spring means for normally forcing said disc valve in place on the partition, and connecting means between the upper tube and the disc valve to move said valve against the spring means to open the perforations to the liquid in the lower end of the housing and exhaust it therefrom through the lower opening of the lower tube when the upper tube is moved to establish communication between the opening in said tube and the atmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,690,472 Breton Nov. 6, 1928 1,762,142 Breton June 10, 1930 2,306,212 Gerstmann Dec. 22, 1942 2,470,319 Norris May 17, 1949 2,516,246 Norris July 25, 1950 2,549,181 Durham Apr. 17, 1951 2,607,067 Minerley Aug. 19, 1952 2,607,068 Minerley Aug. 19, 1952 2,617,138 Brown et a1 Nov. 11, 1952 

